Police search for missing man in Fairhaven

FAIRHAVEN — Emergency workers searched Sconticut Neck Saturday for a Hamilton man who has been missing since leaving an area party early in the morning.

Comment

By BRIAN BOYD

southcoasttoday.com

By BRIAN BOYD

Posted Jun. 3, 2007 at 12:01 AM

By BRIAN BOYD

Posted Jun. 3, 2007 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

FAIRHAVEN — Emergency workers searched Sconticut Neck Saturday for a Hamilton man who has been missing since leaving an area party early in the morning.

John Pike, 23, had gone to a Wilbur Point house party with a friend from Fairhaven and left on foot at about 3 a.m., officials said.

Officials said they began a search around 4 p.m. after friends and family realized no one knew his whereabouts. They carried out an extensive search on foot and by air. They planned to resume this morning by having divers search nearby waters.

"He's not familiar with this area at all," Police Chief Gary Souza said at Wilbur Point while supervising the search.

Mr. Pike's cell phone was found on a beach a half mile from the house he had left, officials said.

The phone was found in shallow water, Fire Chief Tim Francis said. He said the man's girlfriend received a text message at about 3 a.m., but he did not disclose the message's content.

Searchers checked out vacant cottages, beaches and boats for any sign of Mr. Pike, and Coast Guard and state police helicopters searched the shoreline.

Police from Acushnet and Mattapoisett joined Fairhaven police and fire departments in the search. A canine unit from the Bristol County Sheriff's Office also arrived to assist.

Police are asking for people's help in finding Mr. Pike. He is described as five feet nine inches, 165 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a yellow T-shirt.